Sigma-Aldrich and MorphoSys Enter Into a Collaboration and Licensing Agreement for Recombinant Research Antibodies

Sigma-Aldrich™ and MorphoSys AG today announced a collaboration agreement to design, produce and distribute unique recombinant research antibodies using MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL GOLD^® technology. MorphoSys's AbD Serotec unit will develop and qualify unique antibodies from MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL GOLD library against a committed number of targets identified and supplied by Sigma-Aldrich. HuCAL GOLD is the most recent and most powerful phage-display library developed for the in vitro generation of highly specific and fully human antibodies. The large diversity of the library guarantees fast and successful generation of high-quality antibodies to targets that have previously been difficult to probe with standard antibody-generation technologies. Sigma-Aldrich will offer the HuCAL-based recombinant research antibodies for use in research applications through its powerful and unique online sales platforms Antibody Explorer™ and Your Favorite Gene Search™.

"We are very excited about the potential of this partnership," said Dr. David Smoller, president of Sigma-Aldrich's Research Biotech business unit. "HuCAL-based recombinant antibody technology will allow researchers access to antibody content not available through standard antibody generation technologies. In conjunction with Sigma-Aldrich's standard content generation capabilities, this powerful technology is expected to allow the community to reach its goal of a binder for every gene and one-day even protein in the human body."

"Sigma-Aldrich and MorphoSys's AbD Serotec, two leading research antibody suppliers, are joining forces to provide the research community with easy access to HuCAL-based antibodies through Sigma-Aldrich's strong global distribution network and market presence," said Dr. Simon Moroney, chief executive officer of MorphoSys AG. "The contract supports MorphoSys's goal to introduce a growing number of HuCAL research antibodies into the market, and will further increase AbD Serotec's presence and the acceptance of recombinant research antibodies in the research community alike."

HuCAL^® and HuCAL GOLD^® are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG Sigma-Aldrich is a trademark of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology LP and Co.